Le pianiste Gerald Clayton, Chick Corea à titre posthume et la chef d'orchestre Maria Schneider dominent le 69e palmarès des critiques de la revue spécialisée Downbeat. Chick Corea, disparu en février, a été désigné artiste de l'année tandis que Maria Schneider, une fois de plus, voit son dernier disque, Data Lords, couronné album de l'année. Gerald Clayton, enfin, l'emporte dans les catégories "étoiles montantes" au rayon meilleur artiste et meilleur groupe tandis que la pianiste Carla Bley a été distinguée pour l'ensemble de son oeuvre.
Palmarès complet:
Hall of Fame: Carla Bley
Hall of Fame: Booker Little
Hall of Fame: Yusef Lateef
Jazz Artist: Chick Corea
Jazz Album: Maria Schneider, Data Lords (ArtistShare)
Historical Album: Thelonious Monk, Palo Alto (Impulse!)
Jazz Group: Charles Lloyd & The Marvels
Big Band: Maria Schneider Orchestra
Trumpet: Ambrose Akinmusire
Trombone: Michael Dease
Soprano Saxophone: Jane Ira Bloom
Alto Saxophone: Rudresh Mahanthappa
Tenor Saxophone: Charles Lloyd
Baritone Saxophone: Gary Smulyan
Clarinet: Anat Cohen
Flute: Nicole Mitchell
Piano: Chick Corea
Keyboard: Chick Corea
Organ: Dr. Lonnie Smith
Guitar: Mary Halvorson
Bass: Christian McBride
Electric Bass: Steve Swallow
Violin: Regina Carter
Drums: Brian Blade
Percussion: Zakir Hussain
Vibraphone: Joel Ross
Miscellaneous Instrument: Tomeka Reid (cello)
Female Vocalist: Cécile McLorin Salvant
Male Vocalist: Kurt Elling
Composer: Maria Schneider
Arranger: Maria Schneider
Record Label: Blue Note
Producer: Manfred Eicher
Blues Artist or Group: Shemekia Copeland
Blues Album: Shemekia Copeland, Uncivil War (Alligator)
Beyond Artist or Group: Rhiannon Giddens
Beyond Album: Floating Points, Pharoah Sanders & The London Symphony Orchestra (Luaka Bop)
Rising Star Categories
Rising Star–Jazz Artist: Gerald Clayton
Rising Star–Jazz Group: Gerald Clayton Trio
Rising Star–Big Band: Chicago Jazz Philharmonic (led by Orbert Davis)
Rising Star–Trumpet: Adam O’Farrill
Rising Star–Trombone: Samuel Blaser
Rising Star–Soprano Saxophone: Wayne Escoffrey
Rising Star–Alto Saxophone: Immanuel Wilkins
Rising Star–Tenor Saxophone: Nubya Garcia
Rising Star–Baritone Saxophone: Alex Harding
Rising Star–Clarinet: Angel Bat Dawid
Rising Star–Flute: Shabaka Hutchings
Rising Star–Piano: Nik Bártsch
Rising Star–Keyboard: Jacob Collier
Rising Star–Organ: Cory Henry
Rising Star–Guitar: Nir Felder
Rising Star–Bass: Reuben Rogers
Rising Star–Electric Bass: Jeff Denson
Rising Star–Violin: Tomato Omura
Rising Star–Drums: Tomas Fujiwara
Rising Star–Percussion: Richie Flores
Rising Star–Vibraphone: Ches Smith
Rising Star–Miscellaneous Instrument: Brian Landrus (bass clarinet)
Rising Star–Female Vocalist: Thana Alexa
Rising Star–Male Vocalist: Jacob Collier
Rising Star–Composer: Melissa Aldana
Rising Star–Arranger: Stefon Harris
Rising Star–Producer: Kris Davis/David Breskin
"meilleur groupe".